ALLAN ATKINSON is playing You Are My Sunshine on the ukulele as wife Margaret and her nurse Alison sing along.

“It’s the only tune I know from start to finish and I apologise for my awful rendition,” he says afterwards.

But his version far from awful and serves as an expression of love and devotion that has endured 45 years of marriage.

Mrs Atkinson has dementia and after seeing her face light up when the ukulele was played, during a Singing for the Brain group session, her husband learnt to play.

“If it puts a smile on Margaret’s face it’s worth it, she’s such a sweet natured woman and she still finds a reason to be cheerful every day despite everything,” he says.

The 79-year-old was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease two years ago.

He said: “She was upset at first, as you might expect. But then she just said ‘right, well we’d better get on with it’ and that was that- we’ve been getting on with it ever since.”

The couple, from Barnard Castle, take full advantage of services provided in their area by the Alzheimer’s Society including Singing for the Brain and Games for the Brain groups, which use music therapy and physical activity to provide cognitive stimulation.

At first Mr Atkinson feared he would lose his wife soon after diagnosis.

“I now realise that’s not the case and that people can live with dementia for many years. So although there’s no cure, the progression of the condition varies considerably from person to person.

“Margaret needs help getting washed and dressed and using the toilet and she tends to be very unsteady on her feet these days.

“But her nurse Alison does 20 hours a week and she’s marvellous with her – and I can manage the rest of the time.

“It’s a worry if she gets up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night because there’s a risk she will fall, so I have to be on my guard.

“But it’s not all bad – she still has her sense of humour. Sometimes, if I forget something she’ll laugh and say to me ‘I thought I was the one with Alzheimer’s," he said.

The couple marked Dementia Awareness Week (May 15 to 21) with a visit to the Methodist Church Hall in Barnard Castle, where the Alzheimer’s Society’s Singing for the Brain group celebrated its 50th get together.

They also attend the charity’s Games for the Brain group, which meets at The Hub, in Barnard Castle.

“I like singing and playing table tennis,” said Mrs Atkinson, referring to the Games for the Brain sessions.

“And I like it when Allan plays the ukulele.”

• This Dementia Awareness Week, 15-21 May, Alzheimer’s Society is calling on people to confront dementia head on, be aware that they can do something about it and come to the charity for help and support. The Society is there for anyone affected by dementia and there are lots of ways it can help. Call its National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122 or visit alzheimers.org.uk/DAW For details of activities and support available call 0191 3890400 or visit alzheimers.org.uk